Tag: Acts 6

In any romantic relationship, you remember the “firsts.” First date, first kiss, and – inevitably – first fight. Here in Acts 6, after the almost idealistic start (Pentecost, and the almost-too-perfect community described in Acts 2) we get the first hint of significant conflict within the fledgling church. And, as is sadly so often the case, the issue flares up along cultural lines.

6:1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

We need a bit of background to get exactly what’s going on here (and to appreciate the boldness of the solution they came up with).

Yesterday’s story (about how the church solved the tension between Hebraists and Hellenists over the distribution of food to widows) also introduced the next important figure in Acts: Stephen. He was one of the seven Hellenists chosen to oversee the care of widows. Today, we find out he’s also a passionate evangelist.

6:8 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.